It feels like just yesterday we debuted the first episode of the new season, yet here we are starting the back half of the final season. As some have noted to me, this season has felt different than the other seasons. Some felt it was more serious, one told me more depressing. I can’t say they were wrong, it definitely had a different vibe than previous seasons, but I continued to hold out hope for in Rom-Communism. And bit by bit, you can see the ending taking shape that I think we’re hoping for. As always, there be spoilers, so I’m off the hook if you get annoyed here. Let’s go:
First off, rooting for Nate is 100% back again and I love it. Oh yes, Nate fans will be happy. His connection to the once dismissive Jade is growing, and he wants to work up the courage to ask her out but naturally doesn’t know what she’d say. This is a trope in TV, but I like the direction they took. It also humanized his normally sullen and uptight his father some, between taking his granddaughter (Nate’s niece) out for ice cream to allow Nate to ask his sister and mother for advice on how to ask out Jade. What Nate’s father did to impress the woman he’d marry warmed my heart and showed me that he truly does care about his family, just struggles to show it.
You see real growth in Nate this episode, going back to the mirror again to work up courage, but instead, not spitting, just smiling. His growth this season I’m sure is washing away a lot of the contempt fans had after the end of season two.
Of course, Nate’s attempt to make an elaborate impression on Jade falls short, as he trips, drops the box which is promptly run over by a car. But again, this Nate has grown, and instead of stewing on his mistake and hating himself, instead brushing it off and straight up asking Jade out who says yes without hesitation. The episode ending with Jade arriving for the date (not Taste of Athens BTW) shows I think we haven’t seen the last of Nade (or Jate).
Sadly, not everything is perfect. Sam is excited that his father is traveling from Nigeria to see the new restaurant. However immigration laws in Britain caused Sam to take a stand via Twitter. However, unlike the DubaiAir stand he took in season 1 this incident backfired, as the woman in Parliment he targeted with his tweet took him on directly and created a Twitter war that ended with Sam’s restaurant being completely vandalized. My heart BROKE. Sam has always been one of the most likeable characters on the show so his pain was mine there. However his father, who we finally get to meet, shows us what it’s like to be Sam’s father. A warm heart, a good friend and the advice that I think more people need to hear in this world: Forgiveness is the best way to get back at those that hurt you. “Don’t fight back, fight forward.” In team unity, the rest of the club pitching in together to fix up Ola’s for Sam and his family, including his father: Ola. But this is what it turns out has been preached by Ted since season 1, unity which is why, according to a VERY excitable Trent, the Total Football system Ted discovered upon last episode will work. Total Football centers around the idea that a team working together in every position will work in any position, shown with a glorious goal at the end of a loss to Arsenal that gives us hope a winning streak is on the horizon. Lastly on the football front, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the “String” in practice. Every guy watching that scene left the pain from that string. Lord knows I did.
Lastly, Keeley and Jack is developing, with Jack telling her team that she and Keeley are dating. However all isn’t perfect, and Jack is blowing up Keeley’s office and everywhere she goes with expensive gifts and making it a little weird for Keeley. Rebecca warns her about possible red flags with people who give lavish gifts early which Keeley takes to heart and tells Jack to tone it back a bit. I’m not convinced this relationship will last but less convinced she’ll get back with Roy at this point. Could be wrong though.
Overall, a solid episode, but I find myself rooting for more wins than the ones we got in this episode. For example: WIN A MATCH! I’m not sure what this team’s record is but a massive winning streak is going to be needed to get back into it. I’m still sticking to my belief that it’ll be Ted vs Nate in the finale, possible with Zava playing for West Ham. We’ll see, just 5 episodes to go.
RATING: 7
About the author – Scott Churchson has been an actor in every way for the past 13 years, from BG to stand in to stunts and principal, a sports writer for the past 4 and is one of the people that created Stream Punk Entertainment. He’s married to a veterinarian, has a cat with three working legs, a mother-in-law who just moved in and is just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe.
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